LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 438

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438

To Seek Additional Accreditation
RESOLUTION 3-06
Overture 3-92 (CW, p. 141)

Wuereas, Some 60 theological seminaries and schools
of theology have been granted accreditation by a re-
gional accrediting agency, either in addition to accredi-
tation by the American Association of Theological
Schools or in place of AATS accreditation: and

Wuerras, There are marked advantages to affiliation
with a larger and more experienced accrediting agency
such as the North Central Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools; and

Wuereas, Continued accreditation by the AATS is
also important for the Synod’s seminaries: therefore
be it

Resolved, That in addition to accreditation by the
AATS, the Boards of Control of Concordia Seminary,
Saint Louis, and of Concordia Theological Seminary,
Springfield, be directed to seek accreditation by North
Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
as soon as this is feasible; and be it further

Resolved, That Overture 3-92 be respectfully de-
clined.

To Express Confidence
in the Board for Higher Education

RESOLUTION 3-07
Overtures 3-95A and 3-95B (CW, p. 142)

Wuereas, The role assigned by Handbook Section VI
to the Board for Higher Education in coordinating and
supervising the Synod's system of colleges and semi-
naries is in keeping with modern trends in higher edu-
cation as pointed out in Overtures 3-95A and 3-95B;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reject the criticisms of its
policy in assigning particular authority and responsibili-
ties to the Board for Higher Education, implied by the
action of the American Association of Theological
Schools in placing Concordia Seminary, St.Louis, on
probation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod go on record as expressing
its confidence in the Board for Higher Education, and
commend the board for its actions in carrying out the
responsibilities assigned to it by the Synod: and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod continue to support the
concepts outlined in Section 6 of the synodical Hand-
book in providing coordination of its system of colleges
and seminaries through the Board for Higher Education.

To Clarify Questions of Suspension
RESOLUTION 3-08
Report 3-01, D (CW, p. 110)

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
has recommended that a committee or commission be
asked to study Handbook regulations regarding the
meaning of suspension, suspension procedures, and the
rights of individuals under suspension; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, after con-
sultation with the Commission on Constitutional Mat-
ters, refer these matters to that committee or commis-
sion of the Synod which he deems appropriate, or estab-
lish a special ad hoc committee to study these matters:
and be it further

Resolved, That this committee or commission be
asked to bring its recommendations to the 1975 synod-
ical convention.

To Deal with the St. Louis Board of Control
RESOLUTION 3-10

Overtures 3-11A—C, 3-82, 3-141—3-150B
(CW, pp. 150—153)

Wuereas, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod provides as the first object of the
Synod “the conservation and promotion of the unity of
the true faith” and as the third object of the Synod “the
training of ministers and teachers for service in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church"; and

Wuereas, The third object of the Synod must be
carried out in the light of the first object: and

REFERRED RESOLUTIONS

Wuereas, The Board of Control has defined “com-
mending” as “the equivalent of stating that the pro-
fessor was not guilty of false doctrine but was teaching
in accord with the Scriptures and the Confessions”; and
has defined “to correct” as “the equivalent of saying
that the professor was not teaching in accord with Scrip-
tures and the Confessions and was therefore open to
the charge of false doctrine”: and

Wuereas, The Board of Control has failed to carry
out its responsibilities in protecting the doctrinal posi-
tion of the Synod as is evident from its “commending”
the entire faculty: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod express its grave concern
for the failure of the Board of Control to carry out its
responsibilities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod call upon those board
members who have supported President Tietjen and
the faculty majority to repent; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod call on those board mem-
bers who cannot in good conscience’ carry out their
responsibilities under the synodical Handbook or who
are unwilling to do so to resign.

To Decline “Special Rules for Action”
RESOLUTION 3-11
Overture 3-22 (CW, p.121)

Wuereas, The standing rules of the convention, To-
day’s Business, Saturday, July 7, 1973, have been ap-
proved by the convention: therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 3-22, which calls for special
rules of parliamentary procedure, be respectfully de-
clined.

To Decline Further Action Regarding
Dr. Arlis Ehlen

RESOLUTION 3-13

Overtures 3-166, 3-167A, 3-167B, 3-168A, 3-168B, 3-169,
3-170 (CW, pp. 158—159)

Wuereas, The Board for Higher Education of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod did not grant its
consent to the appointment of Dr. Arlis Ehlen to the
faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and

Wuereas, This action was taken in keeping with
Handbook Section 6.53 a as interpreted by the Commis-
sion on Constitutional Matters on Jan. 22—23, 1970,
which opinion was reported to the Milwaukee conven-
tion (CW, p. 241) and not challenged; and

Wuereas, The Board of Control of Concordia Sem-
inary continued the salary of Dr. Arlis Ehlen for a full
year on the understanding that his appointment was
terminated June 30, 1972; and

Wuereas, This matter has been properly handled by
the properly constituted boards; therefore be it

Resolved, That no further action be taken in the
matter; and be it also

Resolved, That Overture 3-166 to reinstate Dr, Ehlen,
Overture 3-167A and 3-167B to declare him not guilty
of false doctrine, Overture 3-168A and 3-168B to furnish
particulars, Overture 3-169 to reopen the case, and
Overture 3-170 to admonish Dr. Ehlen be respectfully
declined.

To Implement Bylaw 6.53 d
RESOLUTION 3-14
Report 3-01D (CW, pp. 107—112)

Whereas, The Commission on Accrediting of the
American Association of Theological Schools cited as
one of the reasons for placing Concordia Seminary, Saint
Louis, on probation the following: “The freedom of the
faculty to teach and publish research is circumscribed
in ways not defined in the terms of a contract of em-
ployment” (Report 3-01D, CW, p. 107); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 6.53d says, “. . . Limitations of
academic freedom because of the religious nature and
aims of the institution shall be stated in writing at the
time of the appointment and conveyed to the person
being appointed”; and

Wueneas, The concern of the AATS is not the sub-

stance of Bylaw 6.53d but rather the fact that it is not
being implemented throughout the Synod; and

Wuereas, The Special Task Force on Accreditation
recommends that this Bylaw be implemented (Report
3-01D, CW, p.110); and

Wuereas, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, Article II, clearly sets forth the
unique Scriptural and Confessional nature of the Synod
and therefore also of its institutions (cf. Articles of In-
corporation, Article I] Objects, d."' "To establish, build,
conduct, and maintain theological seminaries, colleges.
academies, schools, and other institutions of learning’):
and

Whereas, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, Article III Objects, clearly sets forth
the unique objects (“aims”) of the Synod and therefore
of its institutions, specifically in this case:

1. The conservation and promotion of the unity of the

true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1Cor.1:10) and a united de-
fense against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:!7);

3. The training of ministers and teachers for service in
the Evangelical Lutheran Church;

7. The supervision of the ministers and teachers of the
Synod with regard to the performance of their official
duties;

and

Wuereas, The Articles of Incorporation of the Synod
in Article II Objects clearly sets forth the unique pur-
poses for which the Synod was incorporated, namely:

a. To unite in a corporate body the members of the Evan-

gelical Lutheran Church who acknowledge and remain

true to the Book of Concord of the year of our Lord
1580 as a true exhibition of sound Christian doctrine.

b. To train ministers and teachers for service in the Evan-
gelical] Lutheran Church.

c. To assist and advise congregations, pastors, and teach-
ers affiliated with The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod and to exercise supervision over such pastors
and teachers as to doctrine, practice, and performance
of their official duties.

And

Wuereas, In the ‘Act to Incorporate the ‘Concordia
College’ of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of
Missouri, Ohio, and Other States.” of 1853, the single
“Whereas” states as the purpose for such a college the
following: “. .. for the purpose of aiding in the dis-
semination of knowledge, including all branches of
academic, scientific, and theological instruction in gen-
eral, and giving moreover to suitable persons, desiring
it, instruction in the creed and tenets of said denomina-
tion in particular, .. ." (emphasis added): therefore
be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod in convention affirm its right to establish “limita-
tions of academic freedom" (Bylaw 6.53d) in the light
of its Articles of Incorporation and its Constitution,
which clearly set forth both the unique Scriptural and
confessional nature and the unique objects of the Synod;
and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod in convention state that the “limitations of aca-
demic freedom because of the religious nature and aims
of the institution” (Bylaw 6.53d) are those expressed
in the Articles of Incorporation Article IJ, in the Con-
stitution Articles IT and III, and in doctrinal statements
and resolutions from time to time adopted by the Synod
in convention as explications of Article II of the Con-
stitution; and be it further

Resolved, That such “Statement on Limitations of
Academic Freedom” erpressly state the “limitations” in
reference to the Constitution Articles II and III, the Ar-
ticles of Incorporation Article II, and doctrinal state-
ments and resolutions from time to time adopted by the
Synod in convention as explications of Article Il of the
Constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the
Board for Higher Education, after consultation with the
President of the Synod and the Commission on Theol-
ogy and Church Relations, to implement Bylaw 6.53 d
by formulating a “Statement on Limitations of Aca-
demic Freedom”; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct all
Boards of Control to incorporate this “Statement on
Limitations of Academic Freedom" in all documents
of appointment and call of persons under their juris-
diction as stated in Bylaw 6.53 d.